Wabasca
Wabasca-Desmarais | |
|---|---|
Hamlet | |
  Wabasca  Wabasca | |
| Coordinates: 55°58′N 113°51′W / 55.967°N 113.850°W | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Alberta |
| Region | Northern Alberta |
| Municipal district | Opportunity No. 17 |
| Area (2021)[1] | |
| • Land | 101.55 km2 (39.21 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 550 m (1,800 ft) |
| Population (2021)[1] | |
| • Total | 1,594 |
| • Density | 15.7/km2 (41/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC−07:00 (MST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−06:00 (MDT) |
| Postal Code | T0G 0X0 |
| Area code | +1-780 |
| Highways | Highway 813 Highway 754 |
| Waterways | North Wabasca Lake, Wabasca River |
| Website | M.D. of Opportunity No. 17 |
Wabasca (/ˈwɑːbəˌskɑː/ WAH-bə-skah), also known as Wabasca-Desmarais, is a hamlet in northern Alberta, Canada within the Municipal District (MD) of Opportunity No. 17.[2] It is located between and along the South and North Wabasca Lakes, at the intersection of Highway 813 and Highway 754. It is approximately 123 km (76 mi) northeast of Slave Lake.
Wabasca, which is the location of the MD of Opportunity No. 17's municipal office, consists of two historical communities – Wabasca and Desmarais. The hamlet has a population of 1,585 which is largely Indigenous. Another 2,157 additional residents live on five Indian reserves in the immediate surrounding area. These First Nations reserves include Wabasca 166, 166A, 166B, 166C and 166D of the Bigstone Cree Nation, and the Woodland Cree people.[3]
The name Wabasca originates from the Cree word wâpaskâw, meaning "white grass," the name for the Wabasca River. Desmarais was named after Father Alphonse Desmarais, the first missionary in this area.[4]
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
2021censuswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Specialized and Rural Municipalities and Their Communities" (PDF). Alberta Municipal Affairs. June 3, 2024. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
- ^ Bigstone Cree Nation webpageArchived January 9, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ M.D. of Opportunity No. 17 - History Archived August 31, 2006, at the Wayback Machine